FAQs

FAQS

We get asked lots of questions about running and driving electric cars by our lovely customers and we thought we’d share some of them with you.

FAQS

How long will the batteries in the car last?

The current versions of electric cars have an average battery life of circa 8 years / 150,000 miles. This will, undoubtedly, get longer as battery technology advances.

You, however, will not need to worry about this, as you can change your electric car, for the latest model, with Electric Zoo after 24, 36 or 48, and in some cases even after 12 months.

How far can I go before the charge runs out?

This varies for each car depending on the battery capacity, small City cars will have 80 miles and bigger cars can have 250 miles. You can read our article on range by clicking here

We will always discuss your requirements to make sure we find a car that suits you and your lifestyle.

What happens if the charge runs out and I am stranded?

it’s the same as running out of petrol or diesel, as you can call the AA or RAC and they will either give you very small charge or recover you to the nearest charge point.

The car will warn you well in advance of you running out of charge, and it will continue to warn you as the range gets lower; giving you circa 20-30 miles to find the nearest point.

Are all electric cars automatic?

Most EVs are simple to operate and so you will be able to sit back and not worry about cumbersome gear changes in heavy traffic. Modern EV’s have a forward and reverse mode, making them easy to operate. At lower speeds, you will not even need to use the brake due to the additional re-generative brake action causing the car to decelerate as you ease of the accelerator pedal.

Does an electric car have the same service intervals as a petrol/diesel car?

Great news! Another money and time saving feature of electric cars is the minimum amount of maintenance required as they only have one tenth of the number of moving parts compared to petrol/diesel cars.

Where do I get my electric car serviced?

You’ll be surprised to learn that you can use anyone of your choice; as the items that will require replacement are consumables such as tyres, brakes and wiper blades.

Don’t forget, with Electric Zoo, you have the option to re-new your car every 24 months if you wish.

Will my EV have a warranty?

We’re often asked about warranty and what happens if my EV has a fault. All cars, including petrol/diesel, are covered by manufacturers warranty. Most are now three years, but this can vary on the model, and usually 60,000 miles. If your EV is less than 3 years old, then you can take it to the franchise dealer to fix the problem. If you’re not sure you can call us and we’ll help you sort the issue.

How long will it take to charge an electric car?

By charging your car overnight, you can do it in your sleep! Most customers do this as the car is always fully charged for the day ahead.

Using a rapid charger, most cars can be charged up to 80% in under 30 minutes. A home charge, on an installed EV point, usually takes around 7 hours.

Where can I charge my car on a journey?

Going on a journey will always require proper planning with an EV. The best way to get the most out of the journey is to plan ahead and maximise the charge time. You can use the time to catch-up on social media, work, eat, rest or play and enjoy the break.

There are now in excess of 16,000 live Public charge point connectors available across the UK, all of which are displayed on Zapmap (click here to take a look). Your EV will also display the nearest charge point to you.

Can I have an electric car even though I do not have off-street parking?

Yes, you can have an electric car without the need for off-street parking as you can use public charge points, you could also get your employer to install a work charge point.

Plus, there are several public places, such as shopping centres, that offer FREE charging! We think that there will soon be loads more charging points available and Coventry (our home town) is already looking at rolling out its own EV charging scheme.

What happens if I use my electric car in the rain?

You will not have to wear rubber gloves to drive in the rain (unless you really want to) as electric cars are totally safe in any weather. That said, it’s best to treat them like any other type of car and not drive through floods etc – you might get wet feet.

How do I apply for my charge point grant?

Like all Electric Zoo customers, we will take care of the grant application on your behalf.

If you like to be in the driving seat, you can simply log onto Gov.uk and go through the online process.

Can I get a grant for a work charge point?

Yes, we can take care of your home and work charge point grant application.

You can log onto Gov.uk and apply online, go through the process to get involved with your local authority to sign-off your application, sit and wait for the process to be cleared.

Who will fit my charge point?

We will arrange for an OLEV approved electric engineer to visit you for the installation of a charging point at your home or office. There are alternatives, like getting it done yourself, but let’s face it – that can be tedious.